An inquest into the death of Peter Noyes whose car crashed into a parked lorry was opened in Norwich today.

Mr Noyes, 53, was killed when his Audi hit a stationary heavy goods vehicle which was in the lay-by on the A47 at Colney.

The UEA academic, who lived in Stony Grove, Costessey, died at the scene shortly before 2pm on April 11.

Jacqueline Lake, senior coroner for Norfolk, told today's hearing: 'Mr Noyes was driving his motor car along the west-bound carriageway of the A47 when he was involved in a collision with a stationary heavy goods vehicle.

'Emergency services attended but Mr Noyes was pronounced dead at the scene.'

His body was formally identified by Jenna Brand, a friend who had known Mr Noyes for five years, at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

An initial post-mortem report gave the medical cause of death as multiple injuries due to a road traffic collision.

The inquest was adjourned for a full hearing on September 30.

Mr Noyes had worked at the UEA's INTO centre, where he taught economics to international students.

Staff paid tribute to him as an 'extremely popular' member of the team and a 'fabulous communicator'.

•Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call the police serious collision investigation team at Wymondham on 101.